The Acting Director of the Consolidated Unit for Implementation and Monitoring of Energy Projects (UCIPE), Ruslan Surugiu, participated in the meeting of the Energy Subcommittee within the Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Commercial and Economic Cooperation Moldova–Romania, held on June 26–27 in Chișinău.
The event brought together the leadership of the Ministries of Energy of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, distribution and transmission operators from both countries, as well as other representatives of state institutions and regulatory bodies in the energy sector.
The agenda covered a series of topics, including:
- Organization of centralized electricity markets based on a branch of SC “OPCOM” SA
- Electric power interconnection
- Possibilities for purchasing electricity and natural gas from Romania
- Cross-border cooperation
- Energy interconnections including the 400 kV overhead power lines (LEA) Vulcănești – Chișinău and others.
In this context, UCIPE Director Ruslan Surugiu presented the Energy Sector Development Project, which includes the construction of the 400 kV overhead power line Vulcănești – Chișinău, modernization/expansion of the Chișinău and Vulcănești electric substations, as well as other activities aimed at improving the electricity supply of the Republic of Moldova and ensuring the reliability of the national energy system.
Additionally, the UCIPE director noted that the project directly addresses the objective of creating physical electricity interconnections, thereby enhancing the security of electricity supply and creating potential opportunities for the development of competitive markets and regional integration.
Through the implementation of the Energy Sector Development Project (PDSE), ÎS Moldelectrica will benefit from improved operational efficiency and reduced transmission losses due to more efficient network management systems and capacity consolidation. Financial benefits will also increase from reduced operating costs thanks to improved infrastructure and the potential capacity to engage in regional electricity trade.
The UCIPE director also emphasized that as a result of the PDSE implementation, ÎS Moldelectrica will gain strengthened capacity and technical assistance to fulfill its mission of managing regional electricity trade.
In this context, the Minister of Energy, Victor Parlicov, highlighted the importance of energy sector development. He also expressed gratitude to Romania for its unconditional political support and the swift progress made on many energy projects.
The parties agreed to continue and strengthen dialogue on energy interconnection projects, including the signing of an intergovernmental memorandum in the energy field between the two states.